Smart bandages for wound monitoring and treatment

Abstract

Wound management plays a crucial role in nursing care as it facilitates effective wound healing and prevents infections. To overcome limitations associated with traditional treatment methods, various smart bandages have been developed. The monitoring of wound parameters and the implementation of targeted treatments are crucial aspects of smart bandage development. Smart bandages, as cutting-edge flexible wearable medical devices, integrate various sensing technologies, providing new insights for dynamic monitoring and personalized treatment of chronic wounds. This paper systematically summarizes the applications and developments of smart bandages in monitoring wound environmental parameters, focusing on two major detection methods: colorimetric sensing and electrochemical sensing. Colorimetric sensors typically rely on color changes induced by physiological parameters, which can not only be identified by the naked eye but also combined with image recognition algorithms for physiological parameter detection. Electrochemical sensors, on the other hand, modify electrodes with specific enzymes and detect physiological parameters through the electrical signals generated by redox reactions. In addition to sensing, this paper further explores the integrated application of three smart therapeutic strategies in smart bandages, including promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis through electrical stimulation, achieving controlled drug release via responsive materials, and utilizing photothermal materials for efficient antibacterial treatment of wounds. Finally, the paper delves into the challenges these bandages face in system integration and clinical translation, and discusses their potential in personalized wound care.

Keywords: Colorimetric and electrochemical sensing; Flexible sensors; Real-time monitoring; Wound treatment.